Asahi Kasei to increase S-SBR output capacity in Singapore plant

August 2, 2017

Global Japanese chemical company Asahi Kasei is increasing its production capacity for solution-polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber (S-SBR) in its Singapore plant.

Demand for tyres that provide enhanced fuel-efficiency has been growing rapidly and is forecasted to continue to do so as tyre production in emerging countries grows in line with greater motorisation and as environmental regulations around the world become increasingly stringent.

The company has positioned its S-SBR operations as a key strategic business for global development with an emphasis in automotive applications, under Asahi Kasei’s Cs for Tomorrow 2018 medium-term management initiative.

“Asahi Kasei has successfully achieved a high-level balance of braking performance and fuel efficiency while also improving abrasion resistance and handling stability characteristics, mainly with the continuous polymerisation process. S-SBR made with technology developed by Asahi Kasei enjoys a strong reputation among tire manufacturers around the world as an optimal material for tyres,” according to a statement by the company.

Asahi Kasei currently has S-SBR plants in Japan (Kanagawa and Oita prefectures) and Singapore.

The Singapore plant, located in Jurong Island, began operation in 2013 and produces the latest high-performance grades. Both of the S-SBR lines in Singapore will be expanded by a combined 30,000 tonnes/year, raising total capacity in Singapore to 130,000 tonnes/year beginning January 2019.